(10/16/2024) Anoka-Hennepin’s five traditional high schools competed in the Minnesota State Championships and Class Championships at U.S. Bank Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 12. The event is affectionately called, “Youth in Music,” which convenes over 35 high school and college bands; presenting 49 unique performances in one day.

• In Class A, Anoka High School took first place as Champions with 62.650 points.

  • Three other Anoka-Hennepin marching bands secured top 10 finishes:

    • Andover High School placed second, just trailing with 62.200 points and earning the “Percussion Champion” award.

    • Coon Rapids High School placed seventh; while also earning the Class A "Color Guard Champion" award.

    • Blaine High School placed eighth.

• In Class AA, Champlin Park High School took second place.

Anoka High Schools’ first place finish in the prelims sent the team to compete in the Marching Band Championship Finals later that day; and earned a caption award for the best winds and brass. 

"It was such an incredible experience to not only perform in the stadium for thousands of marching band fans but to end our season with the feeling that all our hard work from the season paid off,” Anoka drum major Rebekah Anderson said. “And the result of getting first place was so gratifying and such a great way to end our season!"

The entire school honored the marching band’s accomplishments at the state competition with a pep fest the morning of Wednesday, Oct. 16, which included another performance for all of the Tornado students and staff to enjoy. 

View photos of the marching bands at the Youth in Music State marching band competition.